Story of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 12
Story of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 12
Tao Qian Let Xuzhou for the Third Time
Cao Cao Fought Luu Bu with Full Force
As Cao Cao was fleeing amid chaos, from the south troops
led by Xiahou Dun came the rescue. Xiahou intercepted
Luu Bu's army, and the two fought for hours. By evening a
heavy rain started. Both armies withdrew and set camps.
Cao Cao returned to camp. He immediately promoted Dian Wei,
and rewarded him with huge bonuses.
Luu Bu also returned to his camp, and discussed with Chen
Gong what to do next. Chen Gong said, "The richest family
in the city of Puyang is named Tian. He has more than a
thousand servants. We can order him to send a secret message
to Cao Cao, telling him that 'Luu Bu is cruel. People hate
him. He is planning to move his troops to Liyang. Only Gao
Shun's troops are defending the city. If you attack from the
outside, we will be the inside column.' If Cao Cao comes, we
can let him into the city. We then set the city on fire, and
guard the gates with the troops. How can he escape?" Luu Bu
agreed, and ordered Tian to send the message. Cao Cao because
of the recent defeat, was worried about the situation. He
received the message from Tian, which said, "Luu Bu has left
for Liyang. The city is empty. Please come immediately. We
will be the inside column. The white flags on top of the wall
with the character 'Justice' will be the sign." Cao Cao was
happy, and said, "This is heaven's send!" And he rewarded the
messenger handsomely. Then he prepared for the attack. Liu Ye
said, "Although Luu Bu knows no strategy, his advisor Chen Gong
is very good. If you really want to go, we should divide the
troops in three. Two stay outside, and one go in, to make sure
it's not a trap."
Cao Cao listened to him, and divided the troops into three
parts. They arrived under the wall of the Puyang city. Cao
Cao went forward to observe. He saw many different flags on
top of the wall. On the northwest corner there was a white flag
with the character "Justice" painted on it. He was encouraged.
At noon, the gate opened and two of Luu Bu's generals led the
troops out: Hou Cheng in the front, Gao Shun in the back. Cao
Cao ordered Dian Wei to fight. Hou Cheng could not hold Dian
Wei, and rode back into the city. Dian Wei chased to the edge
of the ditch, Gao Shun could not stop him either, and retreated
into the city as well. Amid the chao a few soldiers came to the
side of Cao Cao, and claimed to be sent by Tian. They carried
a message, which said something like, "Tonight at eight, when
you hear the gongs on the wall, it's the signal. We will open
the gates to let you in." Cao Cao ordered Xiahou Dun on the left,
Cao Hong on the right, and himself with four generals, Xiaohou
Yuan, Li Dian, Yue Jin, and Dian Wei, in the middle, and prepared
to enter the city. Li Dian said, "Master please wait outside.
Let us go in first to check." Cao Cao yelled, "If I don't set
an example, who will want to go forward!" And he rode in front
of the troops. The time was near eight o'clock, and the moon
had not risen. They heard the sound of sea snail shell from
the west gate. Suddenly shouts arose everywhere. Many torches
appeared on top of the gate. The gate was open wide, and the
bridge came down over the ditch. Cao Cao was the first to go
over the bridge and into the city. He rode directly to the
city office. There was not a single man on the street. Cao Cao
realized that it was a trap. He turned around, and shouted,
"Go back! Go back!" Just then, an explosion set off in the city
office, and fire started from the four gates of the city. Drums
were heard everywhere, and the shouts of the soldiers were like
waves in the ocean, turning. Zhang Liao attacked from east, and
Zang Ba attacked from west. Cao Cao retreated to the north, and
was intercepted by Hao Meng and Cao Xing. Cao Cao turned south,
and was stopped by Gao Shun and Hou Cheng. Dian Wei fought hard,
and charged forward. Gao Shun and Hou Cheng backed out of the
city. Dian Wei got to the bridge, looked back and didn't see
Cao Cao. He turned around and charged into the city again. He
met Li Dian at the gate. Dian Wei asked, "Where is the Master?"
Li Dian answered, "I can't find him." Dian Wei said, "You go and
ask for reinforcements. I look for him." Li Dian left. Dian Wei
fought into the city, still couldn't find Cao Cao. He fought his
way back again to the ditch, and met Yue Jin. Yue Jin said, "Where
is the Master?" Dian Wei said, "I went back and forth twice, but
couldn't find him." Yue Jin said, "Let's go in again together."
Two of them fought back to the gate. Soldiers on the wall threw
down fire and explosive. Yue Jin's horse could get in. Dian Wei
went through the fire, fought his way into the city again, and
looked for Cao Cao.
Cao Cao watched Dian Wei fought his way out of the city, but was
unable to follow Dian Wei to the south gate and was stopped the
enemy troops. So he had to turn to north. Luu Bu rode his horse
and chased down Cao Cao. Cao Cao covered his face with hands, and
urged his horse on with a whip. Luu Bu knocked at Cao Cao's helmet
with the spear, and asked, "Where is Cao Cao?" Cao Cao turned and
pointed, "There the man on a yellow horse." Luu Bu let Cao Cao go,
and rode ahead. Cao Cao turned around and rode east. He then ran
into Dian Wei. Dian Wei protected Cao Cao, and fought their way
to the gate. The fire was spread everywhere. Soldiers on the wall
were pushing hay stacks down, and there was no place to step. Dian
Wei used his spear to clear a path, and rode through the fire first.
Cao Cao followed closely behind. Just as they were about to reach
the road, a burning beam came down from the wall, and hit the rear
of Cao Cao's horse. The horse crashed to the ground. Cao Cao pushed
the beam aside with his hands. His hands, arms, hair and beard all
caught fire. Dian Wei turned back to help him. Just then Xiahou Yuan
also arrived. Two of them helped Cao Cao to get out of the fire. Cao
Cao rode on Xiahou Yuan's horse, with Dian Wei clearing the path in
the front. They reached their camp by daylight.
Cao Cao's generals gathered and consoled him. Cao Cao burst into
laughters. He said, "I went into a trap set by this idiot. I will
pay him back!" Guo Jia said, "We need to act quickly." Cao Cao said,
"We'll spread the rumor that I have been injured by the fire, and am
dead. Luu Bu will come to attack us. We will set up an ambush in the
mountains of Maling. We'll capture him there." Guo Jia said, "Good
plan." They ordered soldiers to wear white for mourning Cao Cao's
death. Luu Bu's agents reported it back to Puyang. The report said
that Cao Cao was burnt by the fire, and died after he returned to
camp. Luu Bu immediately ordered his troops to march toward Mount
Maling. When they approached Cao Cao's camp, the hidden armies of
Cao Cao attacked from four sides. Luu Bu was able to break out, but
he lost most of his troops. He returned to Puyan, and would not come
out and fight. That year locust arose everywhere, and ate all the
crops. In the province of Shandong, the cost of food is so high, that
people started eating each other. Cao Cao's army ran out of food, and
withdrew to Yecheng. Luu Bu also withdrew to Shanyang to look for food.
The two sides thus stopped fighting.
The Governor of Xuzhou, Tao Qian, was then sixty-three years old. He
was gravely ill. He gathered Mi Zhu and Chen Deng to discuss the
future. Mi Zhu said, "The reason that Cao Cao withdrew was the attack
of Hongzhou by Luu Bu. Now both sides have stopped fighting due to
the natural disasters. Next spring they'll come back. You tried to
yield the Governorship to Liu Bei twice. Then you were healthy, and
Liu Bei did not accept. Now your illness would be the perfect excuse,
and he cannot refuse any more." Tao Qian was glad to hear that, and
immediately sent people to Xiaopei to invite Liu Bei over. Liu Bei,
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei with a few dozen soldiers came to Xuzhou. Tao
Qian invited Liu Bei to his bedroom. Liu Bei consoled Tao Qian for
his illness. Tao Qian said, "The reason for asking you here, is my
illness. I will not last long. Please for the Han Emperor's sake,
take the Governorship of Xuzhou, so I can close my eyes when I die."
Liu Bei said, "You have two sons. Either of them can inherit your
seat." Tao Qian said, "My elder son Shang, and my younger son Ying,
neither is good enough to be a Governor. I'll ask you to continue to
teach them after I die. Don't let them take the Governorship." Liu
Bei said, "I am not sure I am up to the task." Tao Qian said, "I
recommend a person to help you. His name is Sun Qian. He is from Beihai.
He can be a very good aide." He then turned to Mi Zhu and said, "Liu
Bei is an outstanding person. You must work well for him." Liu Bei
still wanted to decline. Tao Qian pointed his hand at his heart, and
passed away. After a moment of mourning, the generals turned the
Governor's seal over to Liu Bei. Liu Bei did not accept it. Next day,
citizens of Xuzhou gathered in front of the government office, and
knelt down. They cried, "Master Liu, if you don't take the Governorship,
none of us will live peacefully." Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also asked him
to accept it. Liu Bei finally agreed to be temporarily in charge of
the affairs of Xuzhou. He asked Sun Qian and Mi Zhu to be his deputies,
Chen Deng to be the Chief of Staff. Liu Bei's troops in Xiaopei were
moved into the city of Xuzhou. He also posted public announcements and
prepared for the funeral for Tao Qian. They buried his body on the bank
of Yellow River. After the funeral, they sent the message of Tao Qian's
death to the Emperor.
Cao Cao in Yecheng heard about the death of Tao Qian and the taking of
the Governorship by Liu Bei. He was very angry, and said, "I haven't
avenged my father's death. And you Liu Bei took Xuzhou without spending
half an arrow! I must kill Liu Bei, chop up the body of Xu Qian, for
my father's revenge!" He gave orders of attacking Xuzhou. Xun Yu stopped
him, and said, "In the past, Gaozu Emperor defended Guanzhong, Guangwu
Emperor occupied Henei. Both were good examples of building a solid base
in order to take the whole country. Then forward one can defeat the
enemy, retreat one can defend confidently. In both cases they were able
to overcome the difficulties and accomplish what they set out to do.
Master your first priority is Hongzhou. This is like Guanzhong, Henei
in the past. If you attack Xuzhou, with too few troops then won't succeed,
with too many troops then Luu Bu will be able to stay in Hongzhou. So you
will not take Hongzhou. If you cannot take Xuzhou either, then where can
you go? Although Tao Qian is dead, Liu Bei can defend Xuzhou. The people
of Xuzhou were already won over by Liu Bei. They will fight for him.
Master if you abandon Hongzhou to take Xuzhou, it's like choosing a small
piece over a big piece, paying attention to the insignificant while
ignoring the essence, and leaving a safe place for a dangerous one.
Please think this one over." Cao Cao said, "We badly need food due to the
natural disasters. We cannot stay here for very long." Xun Yu said, "It's
better to advance east, to take the country of Chen. The army can find
food in Runan and Yingchuan. The remnants of the Yellow Turbans He Yi and
Huang Xun have gathered a lot of gold, clothes and food there. They are
easy to defeat. We can take their wealth to feed the army. This will
please the Emperor as well as the people. It's a good deed in any way."
Cao Cao was convinced. He ordered Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren to stay in
Yecheng. He himself led the army towards Chen, and then Runan and
Yingchuan. The Yellow Turbans He Yi and Huang Xun led their troops to
intercept Cao Cao's army. The two armies met at Mount Yang. The rebels
were not well trained, and did not have a formation. Cao Cao ordered
the troops to shoot arrows, which stopped the enemy, and ordered Dian
Wei to the front. He Yi ordered a deputy to fight Dian Wei, and the
man was killed by Dian Wei in the third round. Cao Cao's troops chased
the rebels past Mount Yang, and camped there. Next day, Huang Xun also
came. A rebel general walked to the front. He had a yellow turban and
a green jacket, and held an iron rod in his hand. He shouted, "I am
Devil of Intercepting the Heaven, my name is He Man. Who dare to fight
me?" Cao Hong yelled, and jumped off his horse, and walked to the front
with his knife. The two fought for over forty rounds, and neither could
win. Cao Hong faked a defeat, and ran away. He Man chased after him.
Cao Hong used the trick of "dragging the knife behind", and turned
around and hit He Man with his knife. Cao Hong killed him with one more
chop. Li Dian rode his horse into the enemy formation. Huang Xun wasn't
prepared, and was captured by Li Dian. Cao Cao's soldiers swept the
rebels, and captured a large amount of goods and food. He Yi and a few
hundred rebels fled to Gepi. As they were fleeing, they were intercepted
by a group of soldiers led by a big man. Then man is eight feet tall,
and two feet wide. He held a big knife in his had, and stood in the
middle of the road. He Yi charged with his gun, and was simply grabbed
by the big man. The other rebels were scared, and all surrendered. They
were all tied up and were led into a small guard house.
Dian Wei chased the enemy to Gepi, and met this group of soldiers.
Dian Wei asked, "Are you also rebels?" The big man said, "The rebels
were all captured by us. They are now in that guard house." Dian Wei
said, "Then why don't you hand them over?" The big man said, "Only if
you can win my knife." Dian Wei charge forward with his swords. The
two of them fought from morning to noon. They stopped for a moment,
and fought again till evening, when both horses were tired. Dian Wei's
soldiers already reported to Cao Cao. Cao Cao hurriedly came over. Next
day, the big man came out again. Cao Cao saw him and liked him. He told
Dian Wei to fake defeat. Dian Wei faked defeat after thirty rounds. The
big man chased him to the front of the Cao Cao's army, and was stopped
by the arrows. Cao Cao ordered to retreat for five miles. He ordered
that a big trap hole be dug, and prepared soldiers with hooks and ropes.
Next day, Dian Wei led a few hundred soldiers back. The big man laughed,
"How dare a defeated man come back?" Then the two fought again. After
a few rounds, Dian Wei turned around and fled. The big man chased him,
and fell into the trap hole. He was immediately hooked and tied up by
the soldiers, and led to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao greeted him, and ordered
the soldiers to step aside. He untied the man, and ordered soldiers
to take clothes for him. Cao Cao asked his name and origin. The big man
said, "I am from Qiaoxian. My name is Xu Chu. There used to be a lot
of bandits here. I gathered a few hundred people from my village
and built stone walls to defend against the bandits. One day when the
bandits came, we have prepared a lot of stones. We threw stones at them
and hit a lot of them. So they had to leave. Another day they came again.
Since we ran out of food, so we negotiated with them that we exchange our
cows for rice from them. After they sent us rice, they drove the cows
outside the village. The cows all ran away and came back into the village.
I took two cows by their tails, and dragged them backwards by several
hundred yards. The bandits were all shocked to see that. They didn't
dare to take the cows. So we've been able to have some peaceful time
here." Cao Cao said, "I've heard about your stories. Would you like to
work for me?" Xu Chu said, "Definitely." And so did a few hundred men
with him. Xu Chu was given a rank in the army. They then beheaded He Yi
and Huang Xun. Now Runan and Yingchuan were clear of the rebels.
Cao Cao returned triumphantly. He was greeted by Cao Hong and Xiahou Dun.
Intelligence reported that Xue Lan and Li Feng sent army out of Hongzhou to
loot. The city was defenseless. Cao Cao marched directly to Honzhou. Xue
Lan and Li Feng did not prepare for this, and unwillingly they came out
of the city to fight. Xu Chu said, "Let me take these two men as a present
from me." Cao Cao said yes. Li Feng came to fight Xu Chu, and was killed
in two rounds. Xue Lan hurriedly rode back, and was stopped by Li Dian
at the bridge. Xue Lan did not dare to return to the city, and ran towards
Juye. Luu Qian chased him, and shot Xue Lan with an arrow, which killed
him. The rest of the soldiers scattered.
Cao Cao entered Hongzhou. Cheng Yi asked to attack Puyang. Cao Cao ordered
Xu Chu and Dian Wei in the front, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan on the left,
Li Dian and Yue Jin on the right, Cao Cao himself in the middle, and Yu
Jin and Luu Qian in the rear. As Cao Cao's armies arrived, Luu Bu wanted
to fight. Chen Gong said, "Hold on, let's wait for all of our generals to
arrive." Luu Bu said, "I am not afraid of any one." And he went out to
fight. Xu Chu fought with Luu Bu for over twenty rounds, and could not
win. Cao Cao said, "One person cannot defeat Luu Bu." And he sent Dian
Wei to help. Then Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan from the left, and Li Dian
and Yue Jin from the right, six generals fought Luu Bu together. Luu Bu
could not hold all of them, turned around and fled to the city. Tian was
on the city wall. He saw Luu Bu rode back, and ordered that the bridge
be brought up. Luu Bu shouted, "Open the gate!" Tian said, "I have
surrendered the city to Cao Cao." Luu Bu cursed, and led his troops
to Dingtao. Chen Gong protected Luu Bu's family and escaped out of the
east gate. Cao Cao entered Puyan. He forgave Tian's misdeeds the last
time around. Liu Ye said, "Luu Bu is a tiger. He is tired now. Let's
not give him a chance to recover." Cao Cao ordered Liu Ye to stay in
Puyang, he led the army to chase Luu Bu. Luu Bu, Zhang Miao, Zhang Chao
were in Dingtao. The other generals, Gao Shun, Zhang Liao, Zang Ba,
and Hou Cheng were still out looking for food. Cao Cao's army arrived
at Dingtao, and camped forty miles from the city. It was the season of
wheat harvest. Cao Cao ordered the army to take the wheat from the
fields as their supply of food. Luu Bu got the report of Cao Cao's
arrival, and led his army out of the city to meet Cao Cao. When they
approached Cao Cao's camp, Luu Bu saw a forest to the left of the
road, and was afraid of an ambush. So he ordered a retreat. Cao Cao
heard that Luu Bu's army came and went. He said, "Luu Bu must were
afraid of an ambush in that forest. We'll place a lot of flags in
there to confuse him. To the west of here there is a dam, but no
water. We can hide an army behind the dam. Tomorrow he'll come back
to burn the trees. The army behind the dam will cut off his retreating
route. We will capture him tomorrow." They then only left fifty drummers
in the camp, and captured some villagers to shout and make noises in
the camp. The bulk of the army was hidden behind the dam.
Luu Bu returned and talked to Chen Gong. Chen Gong said, "Cao Cao is
very cunning. We cannot underestimate him." Luu Bu said, "I will use
fire and win this one." He left the city for Chen Gong and Gao Shun to
defend. Next day he led his army back to Cao Cao's camp. They saw the
flags in the trees, so they rode towards the forest, and set fire from
all sides. But no one came out. Luu Bu was thinking about attacking
Cao Cao's camps, but the drums were loud in the camps. As he wasn't
sure what was happening, suddenly soldiers came out of the back of the
camp. Luu Bu drove his troops towards them. A load explosion, and the
hidden army behind the dam charged out. Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Xu Chu,
Dian Wei, Li Dian, and Yue Jin all charged Luu Bu. Luu Bu knew that
he could not hold against all six of them, and fled. Cheng Lian was
shot to death by Yue Jin. Two thirds of Luu Bu's army was gone. Chen
Gong received the report. He said, "It's hard to defend an empty city.
Let's leave." He and Gao Shun protected Luu Bu's family, and fled
Dingtao. Cao Cao's army charged into the city like a knife cutting a
cake. Zhang Chao committed suicide, Zhang Miao fled and went to Yuan Shu.
Cao Cao now had the control of whole Shandong Province. He posted
public announcements, and repaired the city walls.
Luu Bu fled, and gathered the rest of his generals who were out looking
for food. They also found Chen Gong. Luu Bu said, "Now although my
army is not numerous, I can still defeat Cao Cao." And he wanted to
go back and fight Cao Cao. If you want to know whether Luu Bu was able
to defeat Cao Cao, wait for the next chapter.